Jackson Free Press

Entergy is installing three electric vehicle-charging stations in the metro area to prepare for an expected increase in energy-efficient vehicles.

At Jackson State University yesterday, Entergy officials unveiled the first of three charging stations, which will allow students and faculty members to charge their electric vehicles at no cost. Entergy also has plans to install charging stations at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems in Canton. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers headquarters in Vicksburg is a possible fourth location.

Entergy shareholders' Environmental Initiative Fund is paying for the stations, which cost approximately $3,000 each and use power from Entergy's grid. Entergy spokeswoman Mara Hartmann said the company selected the sites because they are located in Entergy's service area and the universities conduct research.

Napoleon Johnson, vice president of customer operations for Entergy Mississippi, said the stations are the first step in building a statewide infrastructure for electric vehicles.

"We have to look at how many charging stations we are going to need if there is an influx in the number of cars people are purchasing," Johnson said. "We also have to understand what the impact is going to be on our electrical grid. Obviously, it is going to increase the amount of load we are going to have to provide."

Entergy has plans to install a total of 16 stations in its service area throughout four states.

The stations can charge vehicles such as the Toyota Prius Hybrid, Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf. The Nissan Leaf will be available in Mississippi this fall.
"Having this station on campus aligns with my administration's strategic direction in enhancing our student and faculty knowledge base in alternative energy research and education as we bring value in reducing our nation's transportation system cost," Carolyn Meyers, president of Jackson State University, said in a statement.

Johnson said that electric cars can only go about 100 to 200 miles before needing to recharge, and it will be up to energy companies like Entergy to keep up with consumer's demands. "If electric vehicles take off, then our biggest concern would be the load required for the grid and the big impact depending on how large it gets," he said. "We have to have a ready supply of electricity for our customers whether they are residential, retail or industrial."

Earlier this year, the city of Jackson applied for up to $500,000 in U.S. Department of Energy funds and grants related to a new Clean City program establishing housing and services for commuters riding battery-operated cars and motorcycles into the city. Jackson spokesman Chris Mims wasn't available this morning to say if the city had received the funds yet.